TAGUIG CITY — The Technology Application and Promotion Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-TAPI) officially announced the winners of the 4th Gawad Alunig x Dalumat (GAxD) Campaign, recognizing Filipino creatives who transformed grassroots innovation stories into powerful visual narratives.
Nearly 200 storytellers from across the country submitted entries for the nationwide campaign, which highlights locally developed technologies through compelling short-form videos and photo essays.
The winners were revealed during DOST-TAPI’s 39th Founding Anniversary celebration held on January 30, 2026, at the Centennial Hall of The Manila Hotel. The event gathered creatives, innovators, academic partners, startups, and stakeholders, including representatives from AHB Labs, Startup QC, UPLB TTBDO, and Saint Louis University RISE Center.
Awardees received medals, certificates, and cash prizes in recognition of their outstanding contributions to science communication and innovation storytelling.
Creative Blocks of Davao City emerged as the Gawad Alunig Grand Winner, taking home PHP 75,000 for their video entry titled “Taghoy.” The piece stood out for its emotional storytelling and effective portrayal of grassroots innovation.
Stem UNO Productions secured the first runner-up position and received PHP 60,000.
Honorable mentions, each awarded PHP 25,000, went to:
- Katig Productions (Valencia City, Bukidnon)
- Patak (Dagupan City, Pangasinan)
- CATSU (Virac, Catanduanes)
Meanwhile, Patak also won the People’s Choice Award, earning an additional PHP 20,000 for resonating strongly with audiences.
Bihasaya Tops Gawad Dalumat Category
In the photo essay category, Bihasaya of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu was named the Gawad Dalumat Grand Prize Winner, receiving PHP 60,000 for their entry “I-POT: The Roots of Tomorrow.”
Runner-up honors, each with PHP 25,000, were awarded to:
- Patak (Pangasinan)
- InnovAksyon Helios (Cebu)
Bihasaya was also recognized among the Best Innovation Stories, alongside:
- JVC Hopetech (South Cotabato)
- NEUST – The Blaze (Nueva Ecija)
Each received PHP 20,000 for their outstanding work.
The Gawad Dalumat People’s Choice Award likewise went to Patak, which earned an additional PHP 10,000.
A Platform for Science Storytelling and Technology Promotion
Entries were evaluated by DOST-TAPI and a distinguished panel of judges from the innovation and advertising industries. Organizers emphasized that all decisions were final and based on strict judging criteria.
The 2025 edition marked a strategic shift in the program’s direction—from science citizen journalism to science visual storytelling. By utilizing short-form video advertisements and photo essays, GAxD aims to make Filipino innovations more accessible and relatable to wider audiences.
Beyond recognition, the campaign also serves as a talent-scouting platform for individuals and groups who may qualify for DOST-TAPI’s programs supporting technology commercialization and promotion.
As DOST-TAPI approaches four decades of championing Filipino ingenuity, the Gawad Alunig x Dalumat campaign continues to amplify stories that bridge science, creativity, and community impact—proving that innovation thrives not only in laboratories, but also in the stories that bring it to life.
